40 books to help you become better

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These works will help you communicate with people, achieve your goals, be smarter, more productive and happier.

Will teach you how to achieve your goals

1. "This Year I …" by M. J. Ryan

How often do we promise to change our life, but after a while we make other promises or completely forget about them? This book will help you realize yourself and achieve your goals. In it, the well-known business coach and lecturer in psychology, M. J. Ryan, says that most of the success is laid even at the stage of goal-setting, and shares practical advice on how to set and solve problems.

2. "The Psychology of Achievement", Heidi Grant Halvorson

In this book, social psychologist Heidi Grant Halvorson helps readers set the right goals, gives tips on building willpower, and explains how to avoid failing thinking. The Psychology of Achievement will help you achieve your goals on your own and teach you how to motivate others, so it is perfect for managers or parents.

3. "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg

The path to success is through developing the right habits. In The Power of Habit, New York Times journalist Charles Duhigg explains how daily rituals are shaped and how they can be changed to program yourself for success. "The Power of Habit" will help both people with great goals and ambitions, and those who just want to change their lives for the better.

4. "Willpower" by Kelly McGonigal

This book is a real manual for the education of willpower. In it, Ph. D., Stanford professor and psychologist Kelly McGonigal tells what and how to do to learn how to keep promises made to yourself. Igor Mann said that "Willpower" should be given to each student upon admission along with a record book, and the first credit should be for this book.

5. "Never", Elena Rezanova

Sometimes the road to a goal requires us to make radical changes. “Never” will help you to abandon your usual way of life and not turn off halfway. The book is divided into six parts, in which all stages of abandoning life on autopilot are analyzed. After reading it, the categorical rejection of the former stability seems logical, natural and not at all so scary.

They will teach you to converge with people

6. “I Hear Right Through You,” Mark Goulston

Mark Goulston is a psychiatrist who trains police and FBI negotiators. In his book, he talks about how to communicate with people in order to build trust in them and achieve what you want. You should not see in his methods only a mercantile calculation: Goulston's recommendations will help to converge with people even without selfish interest.

7. "Turning on the charm according to the method of the secret services", Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins

And this book tells how to seduce a person, please him and make him do what you want. This is not a guide to hypocrisy. The author simply tells how to help some people to please others. Sometimes in their own interests.

8. "How to Talk to Anyone" by Mark Rhodes

This book will help you overcome self-doubt when dealing with people. Entrepreneur and business coach Mark Rhodes talks about how to deal with psychological barriers, start a conversation, and get rid of the unfounded fear of being rejected.

9. "How to Talk to Assholes" by Mark Goulston

Unfortunately, life brings us not only with wonderful people, but also with absolutely unbearable people, whom we would gladly avoid. Psychiatrist Mark Goulston, known for his book I Hear Through You, tells how to communicate with those with whom it is impossible to build a constructive dialogue, with minimal damage and maximum benefit.

10. "Never Eat Alone," Kate Ferrazzi

Connections are just as important to success as luck, talent, and perseverance. So says Keith Ferrazzi, a networker whose notebook contains numbers of presidents, rock stars and famous entrepreneurs. The author has found useful contacts thanks to the communication strategies that he describes in this book.

Help build romantic relationships

11. "On the Same Wavelength" by Amy Banks & Lee Hirschman

In this book, psychiatrist Amy Banks talks about four things that can help you bond with others: calmness, acceptance, resonance, and energy. The practical tools from the book, based on the achievements of modern neuroscience, will help "tune" the brain for strong relationships. The acquired skills can be used not only in romantic relationships, but also in communication with colleagues or family members.

12. "The Union of Dissimilars", Yitzhak Adizes, Yehezkel and Ruth Madanes

Opposites attract, but maintaining that relationship can be tricky. The authors talk about how to avoid conflicts if you are very different from your partner, and how these differences help create a happy family.

The book is based on the methodology of Yitzhak Adizes, which provides for four roles that business leaders should take on. Masters in the humanities, Yehezkel and Ruth Madanes, brought this technique to the realm of romantic relationships and found that this behavior helped to avoid domestic fights.

13. "Fear of intimacy", Ilse Sand

While some are trying to strengthen relationships, others are unable to find them. This is often caused by an inner fear of appearing vulnerable. Danish psychotherapist Ilse Sand, using real life examples, explains how different options for psychological protection do not help, but only hinder us from living a full life, and how to get rid of them.

14. "Hold Me Tight" by Sue Johnson

Renowned family therapist Sue Johnson talks about what love is, why it fades and why we need it so badly. The author shares seven ideas for dialogues that will help you find mutual understanding with your partner, sort out relationships and win people over to each other in times of crisis.

Even the happiest couples have problems. "Hold me tight" will help you get through them and find closeness again.

15. "Business and / or Love", Olga Lukina

Olga Lukina, Personal Development Consultant for Leaders, tells six stories of people who turned to her for help. These people are used to being strong and solving problems on their own. What was their condition if they were seen by a psychotherapist? Finding a balance between personal life and career is not a new challenge. Fortunately, the author of the book knows how to solve it.

Will help you become smarter

16. "Rice Storm", Michael Mikalko

Creativity is another skill that can be developed. Igor Mann's favorite book "Rice Storm" will help in this, which sets out techniques and exercises for effective generation of ideas. In this book, you will find challenges, games and puzzles for lateral thinking and learn about the creative breakthroughs that have changed the world.

17. Think Like a Mathematician by Barbara Oakley

Many humanities scholars believe that the accuracy and logic of mathematical thinking are beyond their reach. Professor at the University of Auckland Barbara Oakley refutes this postulate and volunteers to teach everyone the techniques that experts in the exact sciences use. The author tells how basic knowledge in the field of mathematics helps to assimilate information in any field, be it biology, finance or psychology.

18. Einstein Walks on the Moon by Joshua Foer

US Memorial Championship winner Joshua Foer explains how he trained his memory for a year. Also in the book "Einstein Walks on the Moon" you can find effective methods of memorization, the conclusions of scientific research on the topic and an excursion into the past devoted to the function of memory over the millennia.

19. The Simpsons and Their Math Secrets by Simon Singh

The Simpsons' writing team includes graduates in mathematics. It's no wonder that the episodes of the animated series are filled with Easter eggs, which are not noticeable and understandable to not everyone. Simon Singh's book will tell you what you most likely did not notice, teach you how to look for hidden messages in cultural objects, give some mathematical knowledge and tell about interesting facts.

20. The Skeptic, Michael Shermer

We constantly receive new information, but not all of it is true. Michael Shermer, in his book The Skeptic, explains how to use the rational approach to discover the truth and gives vivid examples of delusions from life. The book is especially useful for those who want to understand science.

Will teach you to work better

21. "Jedi Techniques", Maxim Dorofeev

In his book, productivity specialist Maxim Dorofeev introduces the term "thought fuel" - these are available mental resources that affect our productivity. It is the amount of thought-fuel that the author explains that sometimes in a couple of hours we complete a volume of work that at other times we would devote a whole day.

Detecting a phenomenon is half the battle. It is much more important to learn how to use this to your advantage. Maxim Dorofeev tells how to do this and shares his methods for preserving thought-fuel.

22. Stop Dreaming, Get Started! By Cal Newport

Determination, perseverance and years of trying increase the chances of success in a particular area, but does not guarantee it. How many people are there in the world who are desperately trying to comprehend the exact sciences or learn how to write? Cal Newport gives hope to the desperate and encourages them to become professionals at what they do.

Perhaps a would-be programmer realizes himself in advertising, and a failed writer will find happiness in the work of an economist. The author calls not to give up dreams, but only to be realistic when drawing up a life plan. Such a look can be annoying, or it can make you think and, as a result, save several years of your life.

23. "Number 1", Igor Mann

A practical guide from the publisher "Mann, Ivanov and Ferber", which is designed to help the reader become the best in what they do. "Number 1" is a very small book. It contains only the most important: an action plan, a list of recommended reading and a practical part that motivates you to get better right now.

24. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone by Brian Tracy

"Get out of your comfort zone" - these are 21 methods of increasing personal effectiveness, some of which are probably familiar to every reader of Lifehacker. The author talks about the importance of planning and filtering the endless daily chores and provides valuable advice that should be addressed immediately.

25. "Single Task" by Devorah Zack

Multitasking is the main enemy of mindfulness and efficiency. Psychology teacher Devorah Zak provides evidence that you can't get more done by doing multiple things at once. "Single-tasking" will help get rid of information noise and effectively cope with tasks, performing them one after another.

Will help you become a good leader

26. "It Won't Be Easy" by Ben Horowitz

“It won’t be easy” - a huge set of information that will be useful to any business owner, and especially to those who start their own business for the first time. The tips from this book will help you find solutions in difficult situations, and the ironic and moderately humorous presentation will make "It Won't Be Easy" not only useful, but also entertaining reading.

27. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Elon Musk himself, who was once a competitor of Peter Thiel, the creator of PayPal and the author of this book, included in his must-read list "From zero to one". When it comes to running your business, it’s best to turn to someone who’s successful in doing it. Billionaire entrepreneur and billionaire Peter Thiel explains how to choose a strategy at the start of your business journey and shares simple but working business secrets.

28. My Own MBA by Josh Kaufman

“To My Own MBA” is a practical guide and a powerful motivator for those who want to start their own business without having a serious business education behind them. The author of the book, Josh Kaufman, himself went through the path of self-taught and realized that crusts are, of course, good, but you can get a significant part of the information about how a business works on your own.

29. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits are seven key tenets that every business owner or team member should learn. Each chapter discusses a key skill such as proactivity or synergy. Although the book was first published in 1989, the information contained in it is still relevant.

30. "Make Your Mark," Blake Maikosky

Many entrepreneurs believe that business success is the result of an endless desire to do good and help people. One of the popularizers of this idea is the founder of Toms Shoes, Blake Maikoski. Toms Shoes is a shoe manufacturer famous not only for its espadrilles, but also for the fact that when buying one pair, the second is sent to poor children with foot diseases. In his autobiography, Make Your Mark, Blake Maikoski explains how to start a profitable business that will add value.

Will teach new

31. Foreign for Adults by Roger Croesus and Richard Roberts

If you think it is too late to learn a new language, then you are wrong. As a rule, in adulthood, lack of discipline and willpower interferes, and not at all the flexibility of the brain. Whatever language you intend to learn, Foreign for Adults will be a useful tool. The authors of the book share tips for memorization and talk about how to form an exercise habit.

32. "Write, shorten", Maxim Ilyakhov and Lyudmila Sarycheva

The manager at the office, the clerk at the bank, the teacher at the school - everyone is writing something. With their text, these people influence the world no less than writers and journalists. Maxim Ilyakhov and Lyudmila Sarycheva in the book "Write, Reduce" share a recipe for creating a concise and succinct text, supporting the conclusions with examples that we come across every day.

33. "You can paint in 30 days", Mark Kistler

This guide challenges the notion that drawing is an innate skill. In the book of the award-winning teacher Mark Kistler, you can find step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques, life hacks, as well as nine basic laws with which you can create the illusion of depth in a drawing.

34. Fast Reading by Peter Kamp

The ability to read quickly and assimilate as much information as possible is an important skill for anyone who has to study professional literature. The book sets an ambitious goal - to teach you to read at the speed of thought. Considering that interest in Peter Kamp's textbook does not fade 40 years after it was written, "Speed Reading" really works.

35. Take Pictures Every Day by Susan Tuttle

“Take Pictures Every Day” is a well-written and well-illustrated guide on how to take high-quality photos with any camera. With this book, you can give up shooting in automatic mode, learn about shutter speed and sensitivity, learn how to take fantastic portraits, landscapes, photos of animals or even food for Instagram.

Will help you become happier

36. The Strange Girl Who Fell in Love with the Brain by Wendy Suzuki

Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki shares unique brain training techniques and the author's exercise method that affects not only the body, but also the way of thinking. Using the knowledge of neuroscience, the author was able to reprogram her brain and change, and now she is ready to help readers do the same. If one day you wake up and realize that you don't like yourself, this book is for you.

37. "Hygge. The Secret of Danish Happiness ", Mike Viking

In the rankings of the countries of the world in terms of happiness, Denmark regularly occupies a leading position. It's all about hygge - the life philosophy of the Danes, which is based on a few simple rules. The hygge's worldview is not based on something material, but on the atmosphere and feelings, so the people of Denmark know how to find pleasure in ordinary everyday things. Mike Viking's book lays out the rules of hygge and dozens of tips for getting closer to the happy Danes mindset.

38. The Benefits of Laziness by Andrew Smart

When some are trying to cope with the maximum of things at the same time and comprehend the art of time management, neurophysiologist Andrew Smart extols laziness as one of the true human purposes. The author denounces the modern obsession with being busy and argues that the true path to self-knowledge is through idleness. This book will help you stop being shy about laziness, teach you to use it to your advantage, and also justify every minute of your doing nothing.

39. The Stream, Mihai Csikszentmihalyi

Exploring creative people, the author found that they are happy due to the fact that in the process of insight they experience a state of flow. It is not so easy to be in it: it requires attention and effort, and happiness itself is not something that just happens to us, but an art that must be comprehended.

40. “The ability to say no”, Petra Kunze

This book will help you determine what you really want, gain self-confidence and learn how to refuse people when it is necessary. Petra Kunze argues that the ability to say "no" does not make you less responsive, but only helps to listen to your own needs and defend your interests.

“The ability to say no” is interactive and looks like a special notebook with empty fields. The author hints that all the answers are actually already known, you just need not be afraid to voice them.